The History of the Campaign
The campaign for Redefining Lives, the Community, and the World through Art is a $6,000,000 capital project that launched in 2012 and supported the creation of a new 91,000 square foot school building for the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts (Charter Arts) in the heart of the arts and cultural district in south Bethlehem. The groundbreaking for the new facility took place in June of 2013 and the project was completed in August of 2015 in time for the start of the 2015-2016 school year. The Charter Arts Foundation continues to raise money to satisfy the final stage of the campaign.
The Impact of the New Charter Arts Facility in the heart of South Bethlehem’s Art District
Take a virtual video tour of the facility.
The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts (Charter Arts) enters its eighteenth year as one of the most respected high schools for the arts in the nation. Any student who resides in Pennsylvania who is entering 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade is eligible to audition.
While the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts opened in 2003, the school’s NEW state-of-the-art building opened in September 2015. The 87,000 square foot modern facility now supports the unique requirements necessary for a full and comprehensive education in the arts with innovative studios spaces and various performance venues, including a brand-new 350-seat theatre at the heart of the building.
The new facility is considered by neighbors, business owners, elected officials, students, teachers, and administrators to be a significant milestone in the continued redevelopment efforts in Bethlehem’s South Side arts and entertainment district.
The location at Third and Polk Streets places the school in the middle of South Bethlehem’s Third and Fourth Street corridors. The school’s proximity to other arts organizations and educational institutions allows for innovative collaborations.
Groundbreaking Ceremony to Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
The weather couldn’t dampen spirits on Friday, June 7th, 2013 as The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts (Charter Arts) held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new school building.
The ceremony took place on the building site located at 321 E. Third Street (at the corner of East Third and Polk Streets) in south Bethlehem. Dignitaries, school officials, parents, students, faculty members, local merchants, and community members enjoyed this exciting ceremony. The school launched a $6 million Capital Campaign in April of 2012 as part of the $26 million cost of the project.
Dignitaries and school officials take part in the ceremonial ‘dig’.
Foundation begins… July 2014
Ready for the walls….August 2014
The first hard hat tours……February 2015
Topping Off Ceremony……February 2015
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony……September 2015
School officials, faculty, staff, local dignitaries, business leaders, and members of the South Bethlehem community gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the new Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts facility on September 3, 2015. Speakers included: Charter Arts School Board President, Mario Acerra; Charter Arts Executive Director, Diane LaBelle; Student Council President, Lynsey Jeffery; faculty member, David Macbeth; Pennsylvania State Senator, Lisa Boscola; and Bethlehem Mayor, Robert Donchez.
